Rock concert generates funds for new school

By John Loesing Acorn Staff Writer

When their schools are in need of money, kids often take to washing cars or baking cookies.

A fundraiser last week at The Canyon in Agoura Hills featuring the popular band Hoobastank was—well, it was no bake sale, that’s for sure.

The platinum selling recording artists from Island Records performed a rock concert on behalf of the new Alice C. Stelle Middle School in Calabasas and the house was packed. The ticket line to get inside extended a full city block and anybody who was anybody on the local Gen-Y scene was there.

The wait was worth it.

Incredibly tight, obligingly loud, Hoobastank put on a one-hour show that raised more than $12,000 for the financially strapped middle school.

The money from this concert—along with funds provided by the city of Calabasas and other fundraising sources—will allow the 35-classroom school on Mulholland Highway to open as scheduled in November.

The idea for the show came from the group’s record producer, Howard Benson, whose daughter, Harley, will attend the new school.

Benson went to local parents and asked how he could help.

"As a business person, he wondered what he could do," said, Lee Ann Wade, the new school’s parent faculty club president. "We were totally stoked. It is so wonderful that popular group like Hoobastank would donate their time to help this school. I think this concert is an event that can really pull the community together."

The Canyon’s owner, Lance Sterling, donated the venue.

It’s not the first time that guitarist Dan Estrin (Calabasas) and vocalist Doug Robb (Agoura Hills) have offered to help the youth in the community.

"Doug and Dan were counselors for my son at Triunfo YMCA since he was 5 years old," said Marissa Vanderwyck, one of many parents who attended the concert. "He really looked up to them."

Following their highly successful, self-titled first album, the band is slated for a follow-up CD in the fall.

During the show, the band played familiar hits such as "Running Away" and "Remember Me," igniting the fans and kicking the beat into high fear. Bodies were passed across the human heap from one set of arms to another, feet often seen turned upside down.

"This is a treat for me because I grew up in Agoura Hills!" Robb shouted to the audience.

Another loud chord exploded from Estrin’s guitar.

"I was holding my breath throughout the concert that everybody would behave, and they did," said Judy Burris, organizer of the event.

Burris said the concert would help the school greatly.

"They have a wish list of computer equipment, science lab equipment, all the bells and whistles that are needed," she said.

One parent, Heinz Fraissel, brought his daughter all the way from San Francisco to see the concert.

"I’ve liked Hoobastank for years but I haven’t been able to see them," said Jennifer Fraissel, 16.

Jennifer learned about the concert on the Internet. She and her father flew back to the Bay Area the next day.

Brian Obringer from radio station KROQ says the show’s success was no surprise to him.

"I think they’re really big," Obringer said. "I’m from Ventura County and heard about them before they got well known."